Requests for absentee ballots on the rise

Missouri appears to be experiencing an increase in the number of absentee ballot requests.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan says that although absentee requests are not tracked statewide before the election, unofficial reports of the requests from local election officials in ten of the state’s largest counties show a 40% increase over absentee ballots cast in 2004. The highest increase is in the city of St. Louis, which has received 14,801 absentee ballots compared to a total of 7,408 in 2004.

Absentee ballots must be received by the local election authority by 7pm on Election Day to be counted. To vote absentee in Missouri, a registered voter must expect to be prevented from going to their polling place on Election Day. Acceptable reasons include absence from their jurisdiction, illness or physical disability, religious belief or practice.